What is your idol?

If an idol is defined as "any human construct, be it a physical object/image, an idea(l), or concept", what is yours.

The Bible is very clear that we "shall have no other god(s), but God alone". Him only shall we worship.Now worship is defined as "bowing oneself, or prostrating oneself before aid god". This includes no-material things such as fame, riches, knowledge, race, nationality, science, political persuasion etc" We may not be physically bowing down "before this idol", but we give ourselves completely over to them. In a sense "bowing in our inner selves, in our service to obey, said idol."

An idol is a representation, Islam has the Holy Kaaba which also becomes and idol.Nothing wrong in having an idol,all the prophets Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, Krishna, Zaratushtra etc represent god the Light so there is absolutely nothing wrong with idols. All the prophets and saints are my idols.

I'm going to have to disagree with your definitions and the intent of the command there dj.

To throw knowledge in as something we 'bow to' is dangerous. Is that what I've been missing in the christian argument? God thinks it's bad to learn anything? Where in the world did you read that one? Did it ever occur to you that the two words, god and knowledge, might be synonymous? What's the Bible verse? Seek and you will find? We have questions. About everything we see. Only religion would stand in the way of questions.

You're right, about material things. But this goes a whole lot further than moving a statue around to dust the mantle. It has to do with taking care of this world. What did he say about the birds? Something to the effect that God knew their needs and took care of them. How many live at the edge of their means so they can cram their lives with material things that mean nothing, ten minutes after they get it home? It is the whole materialistic concept that he was talking about. Take what you need, no more.

You are right about not bowing to nationalities, race, political parties or religious affiliation . Holding any of these as important bands people together in isolated groups. The whole world is your neighbor. To favor one person to the detriment of the other, shows a lack of love.

I can't see how the pursuit of knowledge would impede a relationship with God, but I do get what you're saying. I do think some use it as a wall so they can believe God is impossible, but I don't see it as an idol; more of self imposed blinders. Refusing to accept God as a possibility is a roadblock to knowledge.

My primary problem is, if God existed in all the awesome power and ability that mainstream Christianity insists on I'm pretty sure he could, and would, have made his presence known. Without that, one has to proceed on the premise that religion has no answers and whatever the answers to everything within our world are up to us to find.

Whatever the answer, I think it's obvious religion has gotten it wrong.

Religons are based on the experience of the enlightened ones.they talk of the Ecstasy of union with the Light or god, everyones source, the essence of this universe permeating everything including you.This experience is considered as the pinnacle of knowledge for man .

I agree, to an extent. But the religious literature I've read seems to dumb it down. Make it palatable for the masses. No work. No gain. Just a neat little package to collect money from. Or at least that's the way Christianity looks to me.

Whatever the answer, I think the rabbis are right. It's unknowable in the truest sense of the word. A glimpse is all many of us get. To pile a faith structure around it, that has no logic or meaning, impedes the search.

I agree with you as well, sadly most of these books have been changed over time.Its corrupt man who is to blame, the essence was knowledge of the Light, pure. Its very difficult writing on spirituality or religious philosophy as its the most condensed form of philosophy where two lines have great depth to their meaning.

I feel exactly like you and thats the reason I have become a poet and wrote a book to show god with more clarity and simplicity ,more honest.

Although the essence of god permeates these holy books which makes them timeless, yet the language and threats are not for man today."A glimpse is all many of us get"- and this is very personal an experience.

You can be reasonable at times and we have had intelligent debates but at times you can extremely unreasonable.You are coming to conclusions, I dont dislike you. We may not agree with our beliefs that doesn't mean I dont like you.Have friend who are atheist we dont abuse each other over our beliefs.

just_curious and I match frequencies here ,so off course we will connect.

I was an atheist like you but different,I just stayed away from religion,spirituality.

Are they enlightened poets who have dedicated 10 years of their life spreading god knowledge, this is my job.I share how I think with everyone and not just you.

I always give examples

Also if you notice I reply to your question but you often just reply with rudeness like rubbish nonsense etc. which does get annoying and I give it back to you.Be nice and I will e nice irrespective of our beliefs.Dot think you can say nonsense etc to my answers and I will say thank you.There is a limit to my patience.

You know a bookstore ranked my work 1 in Religion and Spirituality so you know I posses knowledge on this subject

I feel many of them would say they are enlightened, we have a few who are enlightened in many ways. We have a big family!

I agree Mohit, you are one dedicated person, and I feel sure you will understand that telling others that they do not know something is a common problem when it comes to religion, as there are as many beliefs and opinions as stars in the sky.

If we were discussing psychology it would be a bit more cut and dried, but not much.If we were discussing a hobby or even feelings we may agree completelyNo offense mate, but I study every day too, but admittedly not religion these days.You don't want to hear my rave on brain chemistry.

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